World Briefs

CHINA Authorities blamed illegal mining activities for a gas explosion at a coal mine that killed 18 miners left two others missing, Chinese state media reported yesterday. The explosion occurred at a small coal mine when 20 miners were working underground in the city of Shizuishan in the northwestern region of Ningxia.

PHILIPPINE officials say they have ordered the suspension of 20 more mines, mostly nickel producers, for environmental violations, threatening to tighten supply from the world’s top nickel ore exporter.

VIETNAM Hundreds of Vietnamese fishermen have filed claims seeking compensation from a Taiwanese steel company that acknowledged its toxic chemicals caused a massive fish kill, said a local priest helping the fishermen.

INDIA-PAKISTAN Pakistan’s defense minister says its nuclear-armed rival India will “disintegrate” when Kashmir gains independence. Khawaja Muhammad Asif said yesterday that Pakistan will continue to extend moral support to the people of the disputed Himalayan region, which is claimed in its entirety by both countries.

SYRIA Secretary of State John Kerry is threatening to cut off all contacts with Moscow over Syria, unless Russian and Syrian government attacks on Aleppo end. The State Department says Kerry issued the ultimatum in a telephone call yesterday to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

ISRAEL yesterday mourned the death of Shimon Peres, a former president and prime minister whose life story mirrored that of the Jewish state.

LIBYA A powerful Libyan general whose forces recently captured several key oil facilities has rejected a U.N.-brokered government and said the country would be better served by a leader with “high-level military experience.”

SERBIA A government official says the Balkan country will seek more funds from the European Union for its efforts to curb the influx of migrants trying to reach the bloc.

EU nations pressed ahead with plans to boost military cooperation as Britain vowed to oppose the creation of an EU army or headquarters. With Britain leaving the EU, France and Germany have been spearheading moves to boost Europe’s capacity to run its own security operations.